James Nichols, Ph.D.
Dr. Jim Nichols conducts research on animal population dynamics and management
Recent Accomplishments
Education
- B.S. Wake Forest University, Biology, 1971
- M.S. Louisiana State University, Wildlife Management, 1973
- Ph.D. Michigan State University, Wildlife Ecology, 1976
Professional Studies/Experience
- Adaptive management and assessment of habitat changes on migratory birds
- Development of models of mallard population dynamics for adaptive harvest management
- Development of methods to estimate parameters associated with animal population dynamics
- Statistical methods for species richness estimation
- Technical Assistance -Tiger Monitoring and Population Research
- Development of methods for estimating patch occupancy and patch-dynamic parameters from detection-nondetection survey data
- Development of methods to estimate species richness and community-dynamic parameters from species list data
Mentorship/Outreach
Professional societies/affiliations/committees/editorial boardsScientific/Oral Presentations, Abstracts
Honors, awards, recognition, elected offices
- 2005 - U.S. Presidential Rank Award (Meritorious Senior Professional)
- 2004 - U.S. Geological Survey Meritorious Service Award
- 2004 - IFAS Scholar Award, University of Florida
- 1998 - Promoted to Senior Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey
- 1991 - The George W. Snedecor Award of the American Statistical Association
- 1991 - The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Publication Award for Monograph
- 1984 - Southeastern Section of the Wildlife Society, Outstanding Publication Award
Scientific/Oral Presentations, Abstracts
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 401
Afternoon closure of hunting and recovery rates of mallards banded in Minnesota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
R.E. Kirby, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Breeding-ground habitat conditions and the survival of mallards
The relationship between habitat conditions in prairie breeding areas of North America and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) survival rates was investigated. Annual survival-rate estimates for mallards generally were higher during years of high May pond numbers and low mallards-per-pond ratios than during years of low pond numbers and high ratios. This tendency was most pronounced among males. These
Authors
J. D. Nichols, R.S. Pospahala, J. E. Hines
Additional comments on the assumption of homogenous survival rates in modern bird banding estimation models
We examined the problem of heterogeneous survival and recovery rates in bird banding estimation models. We suggest that positively correlated subgroup survival and recovery probabilities may result from winter banding operations and that this situation will produce positively biased survival rate estimates. The magnitude of the survival estimate bias depends on the proportion of the population in
Authors
J. D. Nichols, S.L. Stokes, J. E. Hines, M.J. Conroy
Regional population inferences for the American woodcock
Woodcock (Philohela minor) bandings and recoveries from 1967 to 1977 were analyzed from two large banding reference areas corresponding to existing Eastern and Central harvest units. We examined temporal, age-specific, sex-specific, and geographic variation in both survival and recovery rates, using recently developed stochastic models. Survival rate estimates for females were higher than those
Authors
T.J. Dwyer, J. D. Nichols
The relationship between harvest rates and survival rates of mallards: a straightforward approach with randomly-partitioned data sets
No abstract available.
Authors
J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Remarks on the use of mark-recapture methodology in estimating avian population size
No abstract available.
Authors
J. D. Nichols, B.R. Noon, S.L. Stokes, J. E. Hines
Importance of structural stability to success of mourning dove nests
Studies of nest-site selection and nesting habitats often involve a "characterization" of nests and of habitats in which nests are found. Our objective in the present work is to identify nest-site characteristics that are associated with variation in components of Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) fitness (e.g. the probability of a nest succeeding), as opposed to simply "characterizing" dove nest s
Authors
R.A. Coon, J. D. Nichols, H.F. Percival
The Mayfield method of estimating nesting success: A model, estimators and simulation results
Using a nesting model proposed by Mayfield we show that the estimator he proposes is a maximum likelihood estimator (m.l.e.). M.l.e. theory allows us to calculate the asymptotic distribution of this estimator, and we propose an estimator of the asymptotic variance. Using these estimators we give approximate confidence intervals and tests of significance for daily survival. Monte Carlo simulatio
Authors
Gary L. Hensler, J. D. Nichols
On the variability of alligator sex ratios
Samples of alligators from wild and 'farm' populations exhibited disproportionate sex ratios. Males predominated among young alligators from wild populations, whereas females were much more abundant than males in the farm population, where resources were superabundant. These results and other considerations lead us to hypothesize that environmental factors influence sex determination in alligato
Authors
James D. Nichols, R. H. Chabreck
Inferences regarding survival and recovery rates of winter-banded canvasbacks
Banding and recovery data from 3 populations of winter-banded canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) were analyzed and survival and recovery rates were estimated. Sex-specific differences in these rates were detected in some populations, and lower survival rates were exhibited by females. Some geographic variation in survival rates was evident, suggesting that canvasbacks should not be managed strictl
Authors
J. D. Nichols, G. M. Haramis
Sex-specific differences in winter distribution patterns of canvasbacks
Winter band recovery distributions of North American Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) suggested that males and females exhibit comparable degrees of fidelity to general wintering areas. Of birds banded during the winter, the proportion of males was found to be higher in northern than in southern areas. Winter band recovery distributions of birds banded in particular areas during the summer were
Authors
J. D. Nichols, G. M. Haramis
Demography of the Everglade kite: Implications for population management
Simple deterministic and stochastic population modelsi are used to examine the demographic patterns of the Everglade Kite population. These efforts are directed at making inferences about the evolution of the kite life-history pattern, and at providing guidelines for the management of the kite population. The Everglade Kite has apparently evolved high adult survival rates, in partial response to
Authors
J. D. Nichols, Gary L. Hensler, P.W. Sykes
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 401
Afternoon closure of hunting and recovery rates of mallards banded in Minnesota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
R.E. Kirby, J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Breeding-ground habitat conditions and the survival of mallards
The relationship between habitat conditions in prairie breeding areas of North America and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) survival rates was investigated. Annual survival-rate estimates for mallards generally were higher during years of high May pond numbers and low mallards-per-pond ratios than during years of low pond numbers and high ratios. This tendency was most pronounced among males. These
Authors
J. D. Nichols, R.S. Pospahala, J. E. Hines
Additional comments on the assumption of homogenous survival rates in modern bird banding estimation models
We examined the problem of heterogeneous survival and recovery rates in bird banding estimation models. We suggest that positively correlated subgroup survival and recovery probabilities may result from winter banding operations and that this situation will produce positively biased survival rate estimates. The magnitude of the survival estimate bias depends on the proportion of the population in
Authors
J. D. Nichols, S.L. Stokes, J. E. Hines, M.J. Conroy
Regional population inferences for the American woodcock
Woodcock (Philohela minor) bandings and recoveries from 1967 to 1977 were analyzed from two large banding reference areas corresponding to existing Eastern and Central harvest units. We examined temporal, age-specific, sex-specific, and geographic variation in both survival and recovery rates, using recently developed stochastic models. Survival rate estimates for females were higher than those
Authors
T.J. Dwyer, J. D. Nichols
The relationship between harvest rates and survival rates of mallards: a straightforward approach with randomly-partitioned data sets
No abstract available.
Authors
J. E. Hines, J. D. Nichols
Remarks on the use of mark-recapture methodology in estimating avian population size
No abstract available.
Authors
J. D. Nichols, B.R. Noon, S.L. Stokes, J. E. Hines
Importance of structural stability to success of mourning dove nests
Studies of nest-site selection and nesting habitats often involve a "characterization" of nests and of habitats in which nests are found. Our objective in the present work is to identify nest-site characteristics that are associated with variation in components of Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) fitness (e.g. the probability of a nest succeeding), as opposed to simply "characterizing" dove nest s
Authors
R.A. Coon, J. D. Nichols, H.F. Percival
The Mayfield method of estimating nesting success: A model, estimators and simulation results
Using a nesting model proposed by Mayfield we show that the estimator he proposes is a maximum likelihood estimator (m.l.e.). M.l.e. theory allows us to calculate the asymptotic distribution of this estimator, and we propose an estimator of the asymptotic variance. Using these estimators we give approximate confidence intervals and tests of significance for daily survival. Monte Carlo simulatio
Authors
Gary L. Hensler, J. D. Nichols
On the variability of alligator sex ratios
Samples of alligators from wild and 'farm' populations exhibited disproportionate sex ratios. Males predominated among young alligators from wild populations, whereas females were much more abundant than males in the farm population, where resources were superabundant. These results and other considerations lead us to hypothesize that environmental factors influence sex determination in alligato
Authors
James D. Nichols, R. H. Chabreck
Inferences regarding survival and recovery rates of winter-banded canvasbacks
Banding and recovery data from 3 populations of winter-banded canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) were analyzed and survival and recovery rates were estimated. Sex-specific differences in these rates were detected in some populations, and lower survival rates were exhibited by females. Some geographic variation in survival rates was evident, suggesting that canvasbacks should not be managed strictl
Authors
J. D. Nichols, G. M. Haramis
Sex-specific differences in winter distribution patterns of canvasbacks
Winter band recovery distributions of North American Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) suggested that males and females exhibit comparable degrees of fidelity to general wintering areas. Of birds banded during the winter, the proportion of males was found to be higher in northern than in southern areas. Winter band recovery distributions of birds banded in particular areas during the summer were
Authors
J. D. Nichols, G. M. Haramis
Demography of the Everglade kite: Implications for population management
Simple deterministic and stochastic population modelsi are used to examine the demographic patterns of the Everglade Kite population. These efforts are directed at making inferences about the evolution of the kite life-history pattern, and at providing guidelines for the management of the kite population. The Everglade Kite has apparently evolved high adult survival rates, in partial response to
Authors
J. D. Nichols, Gary L. Hensler, P.W. Sykes